U.S. patent number 7,123,813 [Application Number 09/883,310] was granted by the patent office on 2006-10-17 for television signal receiver, and method for controlling recording of television signals.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Canon Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Kenji Inoue.
United States Patent |
7,123,813 |
Inoue |
October 17, 2006 |
Television signal receiver, and method for controlling recording of
television signals
Abstract
A television signal receiver is connected to a plurality of
recording apparatuses, and controls each of the plurality of
recording apparatuses so as to record program data received by the
television signal receiver. The television signal receiver includes
an input unit for inputting program data, an identification unit
for identifying a group to which the program data inputted by the
input unit belongs, a selection unit for selecting a recording
apparatus from among the plurality of recording apparatuses in
accordance with the group identified by the identification unit,
and an output unit for outputting the program data to the recording
apparatus selected by the selection unit.
Inventors: |
Inoue; Kenji (Kanagawa,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Tokyo,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
18691863 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/883,310 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2001 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20010055465 A1 |
Dec 27, 2001 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 27, 2000 [JP] |
|
|
2000-192780 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
386/248; 348/734;
348/731; 386/E5.07; 386/297 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N
5/775 (20130101); H04N 21/4104 (20130101); H04N
21/47214 (20130101); H04N 21/488 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04N
5/91 (20060101); H04N 5/44 (20060101); H04N
5/50 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;386/46,83,95,55,96
;345/723 ;348/731,734 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Tran; Thai
Assistant Examiner: Vent; Jamie
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper &
Scinto
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A television signal receiver connected to a plurality of
recording apparatuses, which record program data received by said
television signal receiver, said television signal receiver
comprising: an input unit adapted to input program data; an
identification unit adapted to identify a genre to which the
program data inputted by said input unit belongs; an allocation
unit adapted to allocate genre information to each of the plurality
of recording apparatuses; a selection unit adapted to select a
recording apparatus from among the plurality of recording
apparatuses in accordance with the genre identified by said
identification unit, wherein said selection unit selects the
recording apparatus in accordance with the genre information
allocated by said allocation unit and the genre of the program data
identified by said identification unit; and an output unit adapted
to output the program data to the recording apparatus selected by
said selection unit.
2. A television signal receiver according to claim 1, wherein the
plurality of recording apparatuses are externally connected to said
television signal receiver.
3. A television signal receiver according to claim 1, wherein, when
the genre identified by said identification unit coincides with
none of the genre information allocated to the plurality of
recording apparatuses by said allocation unit, a user employs said
selection unit manually to select the recording apparatus from
among the plurality of recording apparatuses.
4. A television signal receiver according to claim 1, further
comprising a discrimination unit adapted to discriminate a
respective recording medium mounted in each of the plurality of
recording apparatuses, wherein said allocation unit allocates genre
information to each recording medium mounted in the plurality of
recording apparatuses, and wherein said selection unit selects a
recording apparatus mounting the recording medium discriminated by
said discrimination unit, in accordance with the genre information
allocated to the recording medium and the genre of the program data
identified by said identification unit.
5. A television signal receiver according to claim 1, wherein said
identification unit identifies the genre of the program based on
EPG (electronic program guide) data in the program data inputted by
said input unit.
6. A recording control method of controlling a plurality of
recording apparatuses, which record program data received by a
television signal receiver, said method comprising: an input step
of inputting program data; an identification step of identifying a
genre to which the inputted program data belongs; an allocation
step of allocating genre information to each of the plurality of
recording apparatuses; a selection step of selecting a recording
apparatus from among the plurality of recording apparatuses in
accordance with the identified group, wherein, in said selection
step, the recording apparatus is selected in accordance with the
genre information allocated in said allocation step and the genre
of the program data identified in said identification step; and an
output step of outputting the program data to the selected
recording apparatus.
7. A recording control method according to claim 6, wherein the
plurality of recording apparatuses are externally connected to the
television signal receiver.
8. A recording control method according to claim 6, wherein, when
the genre identified in said identification step coincides with
none of the genre information allocated to the plurality of
recording apparatuses in said allocation step, the recording
apparatus is manually selected from among the plurality of
recording apparatuses.
9. A recording control method according to claim 6, further
comprising a discrimination step of discriminating a respective
recording medium mounted in each of the plurality of recording
apparatuses, wherein, in said allocation step, genre information is
allocated to each recording medium mounted in the plurality of
recording apparatuses, and wherein, in said selection step, a
recording apparatus mounting the recording medium discriminated in
said discrimination step is selected, in accordance with the genre
information allocated to the recording medium and the genre of the
program data identified in said identification step.
10. A recording control method according to claim 6, wherein, in
said identification step, the genre of the program is identified
based on EPG data in the program data inputted in said input
step.
11. A television signal receiver connected to a plurality of
recording apparatuses, which record program data received by said
television signal receiver, said television signal receiver
comprising: a setting unit adapted to set user information for each
of the plurality of recording apparatuses; a control unit adapted
to control each of the plurality of recording apparatuses so as to
allow a user corresponding to the user information set by said
setting unit to instruct processing relating to a corresponding
recording apparatus; an instruction unit adapted to instruct
processing for each of the plurality of recording apparatuses; and
a determination unit adapted to determine whether or not the
processing instructed by said instruction unit is from a user
corresponding to the user information set by said setting unit,
wherein said control unit controls the corresponding recording
apparatus to perform the instructed processing when said
determination unit has determined that the processing is instructed
from the user corresponding to the set user information.
12. A television signal receiver according to claim 11, wherein the
plurality of recording apparatuses are externally connected to said
control means.
13. A television signal receiver according to claim 11, wherein
said setting unit sets a user name and a user ID to each of the
plurality of recording apparatuses, wherein said determination unit
comprises an input unit adapted to input a user ID corresponding to
the user name, and wherein said control unit controls the
corresponding recording apparatus to perform the instructed
processing when the user ID corresponding to the set user name
coincides with the user ID input by said input unit.
14. A television signal receiver according to claim 11, wherein
said setting unit sets a user voice for identifying a user name and
a user, wherein said determination unit comprises an input unit
adapted to input a user voice corresponding to the user name, and
wherein said control unit controls the corresponding recording
apparatus to perform the instructed processing when the user voice
corresponding to the set user name coincides with the user voice
input by said input unit.
15. A recording control method of controlling a plurality of
recording apparatuses, which record program data received by a
television signal receiver, said method comprising: a setting step
of setting user information for each of the plurality of recording
apparatuses; a control step of controlling each of the plurality of
recording apparatuses to allow a user corresponding to the user
information set in said setting step to instruct processing
relating to a corresponding recording apparatus; an instruction
step of instructing processing for each of the plurality of
recording apparatuses; and a determination step of determining
whether or not the processing instructed in said instruction step
is from a user corresponding to the user information set in said
setting step, wherein said control step controls the corresponding
recording apparatus to perform the instructed processing when the
determination step has determined that the processing is instructed
from the user corresponding to the set user information.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a controller for controlling a
recording operation, and more particularly, to a controller for
controlling data recording of a digital TV broadcast.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, video systems are being digitalized. For example, a
system for recording image data and sound data in a digital VCR
(video cassette recorder), a HDD (hard-disk drive), or a recording
medium, such as a CD(compact disc)-RW (rewritable), or the like, is
known.
Broadcasting systems, such as currently realized digital satellite
TV broadcasts using a communication satellite (CS), digital
satellite TV broadcasts using a broadcasting satellite (BS), and
ground-wave digital TV broadcasts, and the like, are also being
digitalized.
In such digital TV broadcasts, program data is transmitted after
being compressed using a compression method, such as the
MPEG(Moving Picture Experts Group)2 method or the like. Hence, when
recording program data, it is possible to record the program data
in a compressed state, so that many programs can be recorded in a
recording apparatus, such as a HDD or the like in the
above-described manner. Furthermore, since many programs of various
types are transmitted as digital TV broadcasts, the number of
programs recorded by a user increases, and program data relating to
a plurality of programs of digital TV broadcasts may be recorded in
a plurality of recording apparatuses.
However, in conventional program recording systems, when recording
program data relating to a plurality of programs in a plurality of
recording apparatuses, the user assigns a recording apparatus where
program data is to be recorded, without clearly recognizing the
state of the recording apparatus, such as the contents and the
recording position of program data recorded in a recording medium,
the recordable capacity of the recording medium, and the like.
Accordingly, a troublesome operation for searching for a recordable
region may be required, and the recording region of the recording
medium may not be efficiently used when recording program data.
In conventional program recording systems in which program data
relating to a plurality of programs are recorded in a plurality of
recording apparatuses, program data having various contents are
recorded in each recording apparatus, and when a plurality of users
share a system, program data recorded by respective users are
mixed.
Accordingly, when reproducing program data, a troublesome operation
for retrieving desired program data from among recorded program
data may be required, and, for example, program data recorded by a
user can be unintentionally reproduced or deleted by another
user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to solve the
above-described problems.
It is another object of the present invention to efficiently manage
recorded programs when recording program data relating to a
plurality of programs in a plurality of recording apparatuses.
It is still another object of the present invention to allow, when
recording program data relating to a plurality of programs in a
plurality of recording apparatuses, an optimum recording region to
be easily found for recording the program data, and to efficiently
use recording regions of a recording medium.
It is yet another object of the present invention to allow a user
to easily retrieve desired program data from among a plurality of
recorded program data when reproducing program data from each of a
plurality of recording apparatuses.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to allow each
user to perform processing, such as reproduction, deletion, or the
like, of program data, when program data are recorded in a
plurality of recording apparatuses and a plurality of users use a
common program recording system.
According to one aspect, the present invention achieves the above
objectives with a television signal receiver connected to a
plurality of recording apparatuses, each of which records program
data received by the television signal receiver. The television
signal receiver includes an input unit for inputting program data,
an identification unit for identifying a group to which the program
data input by the input unit belongs, a selection unit for
selecting a recording apparatus from among the plurality of
recording apparatuses in accordance with the group identified by
the identification unit, and an output unit for outputting the
program data to the recording apparatus selected by the selection
unit.
According to another aspect, the present invention achieves the
above objectives with a recording control method of controlling a
plurality of recording apparatuses, each of which records program
data received by a television signal receiver. The method includes
an input step of inputting program data, an identification step of
identifying a group to which the inputted program data belongs, a
selection step of selecting a recording apparatus from among the
plurality of recording apparatuses in accordance with the
identified group, and an output step of outputting the program data
to the selected recording apparatus.
According to still another aspect, the present invention achieves
the above objectives with a television signal receiver connected to
a plurality of recording apparatuses, each of which records program
data received by the television signal receiver. The television
signal receiver includes a setting unit for setting user
information for each of the plurality of recording apparatuses, and
a control unit for controlling each of the plurality of recording
apparatuses so as to allow a user corresponding to the user
information set by the setting unit to instruct processing relating
to an identified recording apparatus.
According to yet another aspect, the present invention achieves the
above objectives with a recording control method of controlling a
plurality of recording apparatuses, each of which records program
data received by a television signal receiver. The method includes
a setting step of setting user information for each of the
plurality of recording apparatuses, and a control step of
controlling each of the plurality of recording apparatuses so as to
allow a user corresponding to the user information set in the
setting step to instruct processing relating to an identified
recording apparatus.
The foregoing and other objects, advantages, and features of the
present invention will become more apparent from the following
detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a
program recording system according to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
configuration of a digital TV broadcast receiver in the program
recording system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a remote controller included with
an operation unit 214 of the digital TV broadcast receiver shown in
FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a picture frame for displaying a
remaining memory capacity in the first embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a picture frame for setting a
genre according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
and
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a user-setting picture frame
according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described with reference to the drawings.
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be
described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a
program data recording/reproducing system according to the first
embodiment.
In FIG. 1, a digital TV broadcast receiver 101 is connected to an
antenna 102, a monitor 103, a recording apparatus A 104, and a
recording apparatus B 105 via bus lines, such as IEEE SP 1394 bus
lines, or the like. In this example, it is assumed that the
recording apparatus A 104 is a HDD, and the recording apparatus B
105 and recording apparatus C 106 are VCRs.
Program data of digital TV broadcasts received via the antenna 102
is input to the digital TV broadcast receiver 101, and is output to
the monitor 103, the recording apparatus A 104 and the recording
apparatus B 105 after being subjected to signal processing and the
like, as will be described later. The monitor 103 displays images
relating to image data of the corresponding program based on the
inputted program data, and outputs sound data of the program.
The recording apparatus A 104, the recording apparatus B 105, and
the recording apparatus C 106 record/reproduce inputted program
data based on instructions from the digital TV broadcast receiver
101. The recording apparatus C 106 performs processing, such as
recording/reproducing of program data, via a bus line, such as an
IEEE 1394 bus line, or the like, connecting the recording apparatus
C 106 to the recording apparatus B 105.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the digital TV
broadcast receiver 101 shown in FIG. 1.
In FIG. 2, a signal received by the antenna 102 or a cable (not
shown) is input to a tuner unit 201. The tuner unit 201 performs
processing, such as demodulation, error correction, or the like,
for the inputted signal to generate digital data in a form called a
transport stream. The generated transport stream (TS) data is
output to a descrambler 202.
When the TS data scrambled for the purpose of restriction of
viewing is input from the tuner unit 201, the descrambler 20
performs descrambling based on descrambling key information
contained in the TS data and key information output from an IC-card
control unit 215, and outputs descrambled data to a demultiplexer
203.
The IC-card control unit 215 includes an IC card storing contract
information relating to the digital TV broadcast receiver's owner
(user), and key information for solving the descrambling key
information contained in the TS data. When there is key information
for solving the decrambling key information input from the
decrambler 202, that key information is output to the descrambler
202.
When unscrambled TS data is input from the tuner unit 201, the
descrambler 202 outputs the inputted TS data to the demultiplexer
203 without modifying the data.
The demultiplexer 203 extracts image data D1 and sound data D2
relating to the currently broadcasted program in a channel selected
by the user's operation on an operation unit 214 from the TS data
in which image data, sound data, EPG (electronic program guide)
data and the like for a plurality of channels inputted from the
descrambler 202 are subjected to time-division multiplexing, and
outputs the image data D1 and the sound data D2 to a video decoder
204 and an audio decoder 205, respectively. The operation unit 214
includes a remote controller and a photosensing unit, in addition
to an operation portion provided at the main body of the receiver
101.
The demultiplexer 203 also extracts EPG data D3 from the
above-described TS data, and outputs the extracted EPG data D3 to
an EPG decoder 206 and an EPG memory 207. The EPG memory 207 stores
the EPG data D3 from the demultiplexer 203.
EPG data is periodically received by the tuner unit 201, and is
always used to periodically update the latest EPG data in the EPG
memory 207. In addition, EPG data is received in accordance with an
instruction to receive EPG data by operation on the operation unit
214 by the user, and the received EPG data is stored in the EPG
memory 207.
TS data is transmitted in units of packets, and PID (packet
identification) is added at a head portion of a packet. The
demultiplexer 203 identifies the image data D1, the sound data D2
and the EPG data D3 by reading the PID.
As shown in FIG. 2, respective blocks of the receiver 101 are
connected to a common bus 213.
First, image data will be described. The video decoder 204 performs
decoding processing conforming to the MPEG2 Standard for image data
inputted from the demultiplexer 203, and outputs decoded image data
to a display control unit 209.
The display control unit 209 outputs image data inputted from the
video decoder 204, an EPG-picture-frame configuration unit 208, and
a UI-picture-frame configuration unit 211 to the monitor 103, so as
to display images relating to the image data by switching or
multiplexing picture frames in accordance with the user's operation
on the operation unit 214.
The UI-picture-frame configuration unit 211 forms, for example, a
picture frame in accordance with the user's operation on the
operation unit 214, and outputs the formed picture frame to the
display control unit 209. The EPG-picture-frame configuration unit
208 will be described later.
Next, sound data will be described. The audio decoder 205 performs
MPEG2-decoding processing for the sound data D2 inputted from the
demultiplexer 203, and outputs decoded sound data to a DAC
(digital-to-analog converter) 210. The DAC 210 performs D/A
conversion processing for the sound data inputted from the audio
decoder 205, and outputs the resultant data to the monitor 103.
Next, EPG data will be described. Data necessary for configuring
EPGs is transmitted in a data structure provided, for example, by
"IEC13818-1 MPEG2 SYSTEM" standards or "program display information
used in digital broadcast" established by the Association of Radio
Industries and Businesses (ARIB). Main configuration data includes
an SDT (service description table) for transmitting information
relating to organization channels, such as the name of each
organization channel, the name of each broadcast entrepreneur, and
the like, a BAT (bouquet association table) for transmitting
information relating to a bouquet (a set of organization channels),
such as the name of the bouquet, included organization channels,
and the like, an EIT (event information table) for transmitting
information relating to programs, such as the name of each program,
the broadcast time and date, description of contents, and the like,
a TDT (time date table) for transmitting information relating to
the current date and time, and the like.
When an operation for displaying EPGs has been performed on the
operation unit 214, an instruction to display the EPGs from the
operation unit 214 is input to a system control unit 216.
When the instruction to display the EPGs has been input from the
operation unit 214, the system control unit 216 reads necessary
information from the EPG memory 207, and outputs the read
information to an EPG decoder 206. The EPG decoder 206 performs
decoding processing for the EPG data D3, and outputs decoded EPG
data D4 to the EPG-picture-frame configuration unit 208.
The EPG-picture-frame configuration unit 208 generates various
signals, such as a character signal for configuring an EPG picture
frame (not shown), and the like, based on the EPG data D4 inputted
from the EPG decoder 206 and a control signal from the system
control unit 216, and outputs the generated signals to the display
control unit 209. The display control unit 209 outputs an image
signal to the monitor 103 in order to perform switching of a
display of an image picture frame, an EPG picture frame, and the
like.
The system control unit 216 includes a microprocessor and controls
the tuner unit 201, the descrambler 202, the demultiplexer 203, the
respective decoders 204 206, the EPG-picture-frame configuration
unit 208, the display control unit 209, the DAC 210, the
UI-picture-frame configuration unit 211, an IEEE SP 1394 interface
212, and the like, in accordance with the user's operations on the
operation unit 214 which has various operation switches for channel
selection, turning on the power supply, and the like.
The system control unit 216 also includes a memory (not shown),
which stores the memory capacity and the remaining memory capacity
of each of the recording apparatus A 104, the recording apparatus B
105, and the recording apparatus C 106.
In the first embodiment, since the recording apparatus B 105 and
the recording apparatus C 106 are VCRs capable of exchanging a
recording medium, the system control unit 216 reads information
relating to the recording capacity and the recorded capacity of a
recording medium mounted in each of the recording apparatuses from
an identified recording apparatus via the IEEE SP 1394 interface
212, during a recording operation and when a reservation is made to
record (to be described later), and stores the read information in
the memory within the system control unit 216.
Since the recording apparatus A 104 is an HDD incapable of mounting
and detaching a recording medium, the system control unit 216
stores the memory capacity and the recorded capacity of the
recording apparatus A 104 in the memory, and rewrites the recorded
capacity stored in the memory every time a recording operation or a
reservation to record using the recording apparatus A 104 has been
executed.
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a configuration of a remote
controller, which is a part of the operation unit 214. In FIG. 3,
only buttons for performing operations necessary for describing the
first embodiment are shown, instead of showing all operation
buttons necessary for the actual receiver. A pointing device, such
as a mouse or the like, may also be used in addition to the buttons
shown in FIG. 3.
In FIG. 3, a light-emitting unit 301 is used for performing
infrared communication between the remote controller and the
photosensing unit provided in the main body of the digital TV
broadcast receiver 101. A power-supply button 302 is for turning
on/off the power supply of the receiver 101. A menu button 303 is
for displaying a menu picture frame displaying a menu of items for
setting respective operations, such as switching of the displayed
EPG, a change of reservation, and the like. An EPG button 304 is
for displaying an EPG picture frame. A timer reservation button 305
is for performing timer reservation. A recording button 306 is for
recording a program. A reproduction button 307 is for reproducing
program data recorded in the recording apparatus A 104, B 105, C
106, or the like. A cursor button 308 is for moving a selection
cursor horizontally or vertically. A determination button 309 is
for determining a region selection assigned by the selection cursor
308. A ten-digit keypad 310 is for inputting a channel number.
Next, a description will be provided of operations occurring when
recording program data received by the digital TV broadcast
receiver 101.
First, operations occurring after depressing the recording button
306 on the operation unit 214 while viewing a program will be
described.
In response to depression of the recording button 306 on the
operation unit 214, the system control unit 216 calculates a
recording time period required for recording by comparing the
broadcast end time of the program being viewed with the current
time, reads the memory capacity and the remaining memory capacity
of each recording apparatus stored in the memory within the system
control unit 216, as described above, and controls the
UI-picture-frame configuration unit 211 so as to form a picture
frame for displaying the remaining memory capacity, as shown in
FIG. 4, based on the read data.
Then, the system control unit 216 compares the remaining memory
capacity of a selected recording apparatus with the memory capacity
required for recording the program, in accordance with selection of
the recording apparatus on the picture frame displaying the
remaining memory capacity by the user's operation on the operation
unit 214. If the remaining memory capacity is sufficient, the
UI-picture-frame configuration unit 211 and the display control
unit 209 are controlled so as to end display of the picture frame
indicating the remaining memory capacity and to start recording in
the selected recording apparatus for a predetermined time period.
Recording of the program being viewed is started in the selected
recording apparatus.
Program data to be recorded in the recording apparatus is output to
the selected recording apparatus via the tuner unit 201, the
descrambler 202, the demultiplexer 203, and the IEEE SP 1394
interface 212. That is, after extracting program data of the
program to be recorded from the TS data, recording in the recording
apparatus is performed without performing decoding processing.
In addition, recorded-program data, such as the title of the
program, the time and date of recording, the recording address, and
the like, of the program recorded in each recording apparatus is
stored in the memory provided in the system control unit 216. At
that time, information relating to the contents recorded in each
recording apparatus where a recording medium is detachably
mountable is recorded separately for each recording medium.
If the remaining memory capacity is insufficient, the
UI-picture-frame configuration unit 211 and the display control
unit 209 are controlled so as to display the fact that the
remaining memory capacity of the selected recording apparatus is
smaller than the memory capacity required for recording the program
for a predetermined time period, and again display the picture
frame indicating the remaining memory capacity.
The picture frame indicating the remaining memory capacity shown in
FIG. 4 will now be described.
An indicator 401 shows a scale indicating the recording time period
of the program to be recorded and the numerical value of the
recording time in an overlayed state. An indicator 402 shows a
scale indicating the ratio of the writable memory capacity (the
remaining memory capacity) and the unwritable memory capacity to
the total memory capacity of the recording apparatus A 104, which
is displayed as a full scale, and the numerical value of the
writable time period in an overlayed state.
The system control unit 216 calculates the writable time period by
dividing the writable memory capacity by the average transmission
speed (bit rate) of the TS data. Since the amount of transmitted
data differs between programs having small differences among frame
images, such as a news program, and the like, and programs having
large differences among frame images, such as a relay program of a
soccer game, and the like, the writable time period changes in
accordance with a change in the recorded program.
When a high-picture-quality mode, a highlight recording mode, and
the like, are present, the amount of recorded data changes in
accordance with a predetermined recording condition, and the
writable time period changes in accordance with the set mode. The
recording condition can be set on a picture frame (not shown) in
accordance with a standard mode or a triple recording mode when
performing recording in a VCR, or a high-picture-quality mode, a
standard mode, or the like, when performing recording in a HDD.
An indicator 403 shows a scale indicating the ratio of the writable
memory capacity and the unwritable memory capacity to the total
memory capacity of the recording apparatus B 105, which is
displayed as a full scale, and the numerical value of the writable
time period in an overlayed state. An indicator 404 displays a
scale indicating the ratio of the writable memory capacity and the
unwritable memory capacity to the total memory capacity of the
recording apparatus C 106, which is displayed as a full scale, and
the numerical value of the writable time period in an overlayed
state. A selection cursor 405 is used for selecting a recording
apparatus.
In FIG. 4, the hatched portion of the indicator for each recording
apparatus represents the writable memory capacity, and the white
portion represents the unwritable memory capacity.
That is, the indicator 402 for the recording apparatus A 104
indicates a state in which most of the memory capacity is in a
write-inhibit state such that the writable time period is shorter
than the recording time of the program to be recorded. The
indicator 403 for the recording apparatus B 105 indicates a state
in which, although about half the memory capacity is in a
write-inhibit state, the writable time period is longer than the
recording time of the program to be recorded. The indicator 404 of
the recording apparatus C 106 indicates a state in which most of
the memory capacity is in a writable state.
Next, operations after depressing the timer reservation button 305
on the operation unit 214 while viewing a program will be
described.
The system control unit 216 controls the UI-picture-frame
configuration unit 211 and the display control unit 209 so as to
display a picture frame for setting a timer reservation (not shown)
to select a program to be subjected to timer reservation, in
accordance with depression of the timer reservation button 305 on
the operation unit 214. The system control unit 216 also controls
the respective units so as to display a picture frame indicating
the remaining memory capacity in the above-described manner, in
accordance with depression of the determination button 309 after
inputting the time and date, the channel, and the like, of a
program to be subjected to timer reservation on the picture frame
for setting a timer reservation.
Then, the system control unit 216 compares the remaining memory
capacity of the selected recording apparatus with the memory
capacity required for recording the program, in accordance with the
selection of a recording apparatus on the picture frame indicating
the remaining memory capacity by the user's operation on the
operation unit 214. If the remaining memory capacity is sufficient,
the UI-picture-frame configuration unit 211 and the display control
unit 209 are controlled so as to end the display of the picture
frame indicating the remaining memory capacity, and display the
fact that timer recording has been set in the selected recording
apparatus for a predetermined time period. At the same time,
program information relating to the set time and date to start
recording, the program to be recorded, and the like, is output to
the memory provided in the system control unit 216, and monitoring
whether or not the time and date to start recording has come is
performed.
If the remaining memory capacity is insufficient, the
UI-picture-frame configuration unit 211 and the display control
unit 209 are controlled so as to display the fact that the
remaining memory capacity of the selected recording apparatus is
smaller than the memory capacity required for recording the program
for a predetermined time period, and again display the picture
frame indicating the remaining memory capacity.
It is also possible to perform setting of a reservation by
selecting a desired program using the selection cursor 405 on an
EPG picture frame being displayed, and depressing the timer
reservation button 305. On the picture frame for setting timer
reservation, it is possible not only to input the time and date of
broadcast, the channel, and the like, of a program to be reserved,
but also to provide an instruction for displaying an EPG picture
frame.
Next, operations that occur when reproducing program data recorded
in each recording apparatus will be described.
The system control unit 216 controls the UI-picture-frame
configuration unit 211 and the display control unit 209 so as to
display a picture frame indicating a summary of recorded programs
(not shown) based on recording-program data stored in the memory,
as described above, in accordance with depression of the
reproduction button 307 by the user's operation on the operation
unit 214.
On the picture frame indicating the summary of recorded programs,
each recorded program can be selected and determined by the user's
operation on the operation unit 214. The system control unit 216
reads program data from the recording apparatus in which the
assigned program is recorded, in accordance with selection and
determination of the recorded program by the user's operation on
the operation unit 214.
The read image data is output to the monitor 103 via the IEEE SP
1394 interface 212, the video decoder 204, and the display control
unit 209.
Sound data read from the recording apparatus is output to the
monitor 103 via the IEEE SP 1394 interface 212, the audio decoder
205, and the DAC 210.
As described above, in the first embodiment, when recording program
data in a plurality of recording apparatuses, the user is allowed
to clearly recognize the recording capacity and the recordable
capacity of each recording apparatus. Hence, it is possible to
easily find a recording apparatus that is most suitable for
recording the identified program data, and to efficiently use
recording regions of each recording medium.
Although, in the first embodiment, a summary of information
relating to the remaining memory capacity of each recording
apparatus is displayed, and the user selects and determines a
recording apparatus in which recording is to be performed by
referring to the display of the summary, a recording apparatus in
which recording is to be performed may be automatically
selected.
At that time, the priority orders of recording apparatuses may be
set in advance, and a recording apparatus having the highest
priority order may be automatically selected from among recording
apparatuses having remaining capacities sufficient for recording
program data. For example, when a plurality of HDDs are connected
and a plurality of HDDs having remaining capacities sufficient for
recording program data are present, efficient recording may be
realized by selecting a HDD having the smallest sufficient empty
capacity.
When assigning apparatuses for recording of programs, the number of
selected recording apparatuses is not limited to one, but a
plurality of recording apparatuses may be selected.
Although, in the first embodiment, when recording a program,
program data of the assigned program is extracted from the TS data
and the extracted program data is recorded, the entire TS data may
be recorded.
Although, in the first embodiment, the digital TV broadcast
receiver does not include a display unit, the digital TV broadcast
receiver may include a display unit.
Although in the first embodiment, the respective recording
apparatuses and the digital TV broadcast receiver are externally
connected, a configuration in which the digital TV broadcast
receiver includes a plurality of recording apparatuses, such as
HDDs, or the like, may be adopted.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be
described in detail.
A program-data recording/reproducing system according to the second
embodiment has the same configuration as that of the program-data
recording/reproducing system according to the first embodiment,
except for the following points. The same components as those in
the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals,
and further description thereof will be omitted.
The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the
genre of a program to be recorded can be set for each recording
apparatus or each recording medium, and program data is recorded by
determining a recording apparatus or a recording medium for each of
the set genres.
First, a description will be provided of a genre-setting picture
frame for setting a genre for each recording apparatus. The
genre-setting picture frame can be displayed from a menu picture
frame displayed by depressing the menu button 303 shown in FIG.
3.
FIG. 5 illustrates an example of display on the genre-setting
picture frame. In FIG. 5, there are shown a genre setting indicator
501 for the recording apparatus A 104, a genre setting indicator
502 for a recording medium B mounted in the recording apparatus B
105, a genre setting indicator 503 for a recording medium C mounted
in the recording apparatus C 106, and a pull-down-menu button 504
of the indicator 503.
In FIG. 5, a genre "others", a genre "music", and a genre "sports"
are set in the indicators 501, 502, and 503, respectively.
When changing a genre setting for each recording apparatus (or each
recording medium), for example, when changing the indicator 503 by
pressing the pull-down-menu button 504 by the user's operation on
the operation unit 214, a pull-down menu is displayed, as shown in
FIG. 5, and a genre can be selected and set by selection and
determination using the selection cursor 405.
Genre information set in the above-described manner is stored in
the memory provided in the system control unit 216 so as to
correspond to each recording apparatus (or each recording medium).
In the memory, data relating to each program, such as the title,
the time and date of recording, the recording address, and the
like, of the program, recorded in each recording apparatus (or each
recording medium), and capacity data, such as the recorded capacity
and the like, are also recorded so as to correspond to each
recording apparatus (or each recording medium).
Next, operations that occur when recording program data received by
the digital TV broadcast receiver 101 will be described.
When an instruction to record a program has been input from the
operation unit 214 by depressing the recording button 306 or the
timer reservation button 305, shown in FIG. 3, the system control
unit 216 reads genre information of the program instructed to be
recorded from EPG data recorded in the EPG memory 207.
For a recording apparatus in which a recording medium is detachably
mountable, information relating to the recorded contents of the
recording medium mounted in the recording apparatus is read via the
IEEE SP 1394 interface 212, and the recording medium is specified
by comparing the read information with information relating to the
recorded contents recorded in the above-described memory. Then,
genre information set in the recording medium is read. For a
recording medium where genre information is not stored, an
operation to set a genre is performed by displaying the
above-described genre-setting picture frame.
By comparing the genre information of the program instructed to be
recorded, which has been read from the EPG memory, with genre
information set in each recording apparatus (or each recording
medium) stored in the memory in the above-described manner, a
recording apparatus having a coincident genre or a recording
apparatus in which a recording medium having a coincident genre is
mounted is discriminated. Start of recording or setting of timer
recording is performed for the recording apparatus which has been
discriminated in the above-described manner.
For example, in the case shown in FIG. 5, if the genre of a program
instructed to be recorded is "music", recording is performed in the
recording apparatus B 105. If the genre of a program instructed to
be recorded is "sports", recording is performed in the recording
apparatus C 106. If the genre of a program instructed to be
recorded is "others", recording is performed in the recording
apparatus A 104.
When the genre "others" is set in none of the genre setting
indicators 501, 502, and 503, and a program instructed to be
recorded belongs to none of the set genres, the system control unit
216 controls the UI-picture-frame configuration unit 211 and the
display control unit 209 so as to display an instruction picture
frame (not shown) for causing the user to instruct as to which
recording apparatus recording is to be performed. Start of
recording or setting of timer recording is performed for a
recording apparatus instructed on the instruction picture
frame.
When determining a recording apparatus based on genre information
in the above-described manner, the remaining memory capacity of the
recording apparatus determined to have coincident genre information
is read from the memory provided in the system control unit 216,
and, as described in the first embodiment, the recording time
period of the program to be recorded is compared with the writable
time period.
If the remaining memory capacity is insufficient for recording,
then, after displaying that fact for a predetermined time period,
the genre-setting picture frame shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. A
desired recording apparatus can be selected and determined by
moving a selection cursor (not shown) by the user's manual
operation. It is also possible to change a genre setting for a
recording apparatus on the genre-setting picture frame.
When reproducing program data, a correspondence table between
respective recording apparatuses (or respective recording media)
and set genres is displayed. In program retrieval to retrieve a
program recorded in a recording apparatus, the above-described
correspondence table is also displayed. When a genre is set as the
retrieval condition in the program retrieval, retrieval is
performed by comparing the genre set as the retrieval condition
with a genre set in each recording apparatus.
When retrieving a recorded program, the system control unit 216
performs processing to retrieve a program corresponding to the
retrieval condition based on recorded-program data stored in the
memory of the system control unit 216.
As described above, in the second embodiment, when recording
program data in a plurality of recording apparatuses, a genre is
set for each recording apparatus, or each recording medium mounted
in each recording apparatus, and program data is recorded
separately for each genre. Hence, when reproducing program data, it
is possible to easily find desired program data from among recorded
program data, and promptly retrieve desired program data.
In the second embodiment, since a genre of program data to be
recorded is set for a recording medium that is detachably mountable
in a recording apparatus, it is possible to record program data
separately for the genre of each recording medium, and to realize
the effect of easily managing program data.
When assigning recording of a program, the number of selected
recording apparatuses is not limited to one, but a plurality of
recording apparatuses may be selected.
Although, in the second embodiment, when recording a program,
program data of the assigned program is extracted from TS data and
the extracted program data is recorded, the entire TS data may be
recorded.
Although, in the second embodiment, the digital TV broadcast
receiver does not include a display unit, the digital TV broadcast
receiver may include a display unit.
Although, in the second embodiment, the respective recording
apparatuses and the digital TV broadcast receiver are externally
connected, a configuration in which the digital TV broadcast
receiver includes a plurality of recording apparatuses, such as
HDDs, or the like, may be adopted.
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described
in detail.
A program-data recording/reproducing system according to the third
embodiment has the same configuration as that of the program-data
recording/reproducing system according to the first and second
embodiments, except for the following points. The same components
as those in the first and second embodiments are indicated by the
same reference numerals, and further description thereof will be
omitted.
The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments
in that a user can be set for each recording apparatus, and that
only a user set for each recording apparatus can instruct
recording/reproducing processing.
First, a description will be provided of a user-setting picture
frame for allowing a user set for each recording apparatus to
instruct recording/reproducing processing.
FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a display of a user-setting
picture frame. In FIG. 6, a region 601 indicates the name of a user
set in the recording apparatus A 104. A region 602 is for inputting
the ID of the user set in the recording apparatus A 104. A region
603 indicates the name of a user set in the recording apparatus B
105. A region 604 is for inputting the ID of the user set in the
recording apparatus B 105. A region 605 indicates the name of a
user set in the recording apparatus C 106. A region 606 is for
inputting the ID of the user set in the recording apparatus C 106.
A region 607 represents a selection cursor for selecting a
recording apparatus to which input of data is to be set.
FIG. 6 illustrates a state in which a user is not set in the
recording apparatus A 104, a state in which a user name "papa" is
set in the recording apparatus B 105, and a state in which a user
name "mama" is set in the recording apparatus C 106.
In the states of setting shown in FIG. 6, the recording apparatus A
104 can be operated by anybody by performing an operation on the
operation unit 214 of the digital TV broadcast receiver 101. On the
other hand, processing, such as recording, reproduction, or the
like, can be performed for the recording apparatus B 105 and the
recording apparatus C 106 by inputting the user ID for "papa" and
the user ID for "mama", respectively.
A case of changing a user setting will now be described. First, the
user-setting picture frame shown in FIG. 6 is displayed by
selecting an item "change of user setting" from a menu picture
frame displayed by depressing the menu button 303 shown in FIG.
3.
On the user-setting picture frame thus displayed, by moving the
selection cursor 607 by depressing the cursor button 308 on the
operation unit 214 and then depressing the determination button
309, a recording apparatus for which setting is to be changed is
selected and determined. The setting region of the selected and
determined recording apparatus is subjected to highlight display,
to provide a state in which a user ID can be input.
By inputting a user ID corresponding to the user name currently set
in the assigned recording apparatus, a user-setting-changing
picture frame (not shown) is displayed, and a new user name and
user ID can be set.
When performing processing of inputting characters, the system
control unit 216 displays character input keys (not shown) on the
monitor 103, and controls respective units so as to input
characters by selecting and determining each character input key by
operating the cursor button 308 and the determination button 309 on
the operation unit 214.
Information relating to the set user name and user ID is stored in
the memory provided in the system control unit 216 so as to
correspond to each recording apparatus.
Next, a description will be provided of operations that occur when
recording program data received by the digital TV broadcast
receiver 101.
When an instruction to record a program has been input from the
operation unit 214 by depressing the recording button 306 or the
timer reservation button 305, shown in FIG. 3, the system control
unit 216 controls the UI-picture-frame configuration unit 211 and
the display control unit 209 so as to display the user-setting
picture frame shown in FIG. 6.
On the user-setting picture frame thus displayed, by moving the
selection cursor 607 by depressing the cursor button 308 on the
operation unit 214 and then depressing the determination button
309, the recording apparatus for which setting is to be changed is
selected and determined. The setting region of the selected and
determined recording apparatus is subjected to highlight display,
to provide a state in which a user ID can be input.
In accordance with input of a user ID corresponding to the user set
for the recording apparatus assigned by an operation on the
operation unit 214, the system control unit 216 compares the input
user ID with a user ID corresponding to the user name stored in the
memory in the above-described manner. When the two user IDs
coincide, start of recording or permission to set timer recording
is allowed for the assigned recording apparatus.
A description will now be provided of operations that occur when
reproducing program data recorded in each recording apparatus.
When an instruction to reproduce a program is input from the
operation unit 214 by depressing the reproduction button 307 shown
in FIG. 3, the system control unit 216 controls the
UI-picture-frame configuration unit 211 and the display control
unit 209 so as to display the user-setting picture frame shown in
FIG. 6.
On the user-setting picture frame thus displayed, by performing a
user setting operation in the same manner as when recording a
program, permission to reproduce program data recorded in the
assigned recording apparatus is allowed.
Similarly, when deleting program data recorded in each recording
apparatus, by displaying the user-setting picture frame and
performing a user setting operation, permission to delete program
data recorded in the assigned recording apparatus is allowed.
As described above, in the third embodiment, when program data is
recorded in a plurality of recording apparatuses, and a plurality
of users share a common program recording system, a user can be set
for each recording apparatus, and only the user set for a
particular recording apparatus can instruct processing, such as
recording, reproduction, and the like, for that purpose. Hence,
unexpected erasure of program data or recording of unnecessary
program data by another user is prevented, and each user can use a
separate recording apparatus.
Although, in the third embodiment, a set user ID is recognized by
inputting a password, the method for recognizing a user ID is not
limited to such an approach. For example, a user ID may be
automatically recognized by voice recognition, or the like.
When assigning recording of a program, the number of selected
recording apparatuses is not limited to one, but a plurality of
recording apparatuses may be selected.
Although, in the third embodiment, when recording a program,
program data of the assigned program is extracted and recorded from
among TS data, the entire TS data may be recorded.
Although, in the third embodiment, the digital TV broadcast
receiver does not include a display unit, the digital TV broadcast
receiver may include a display unit.
Although, in the third embodiment, respective recording apparatuses
and the digital TV broadcast receiver are externally connected, a
configuration in which the digital TV broadcast receiver includes a
plurality of recording apparatuses, such as HDDs, or the like, may
be adopted.
As described in the second embodiment, a genre of programs to be
recorded may be set in each recording apparatus or recording medium
for each user, and a recording apparatus (or a recording medium)
may be selected in accordance with the genre of a program
instructed to be recorded after recognition of a user ID.
As described above, according to the present invention, it is
possible to efficiently manage recorded programs when recording
program data relating to a plurality of programs in a plurality of
recording apparatuses, and to easily find an optimum recording
region for recording the program data. Accordingly, it is possible
to efficiently use recording regions of a plurality of recording
media.
In a program recording/reproducing system in which a plurality of
recording apparatuses are connected, desired program data can be
easily retrieved from among recorded program data.
When program data relating to a plurality of programs are recorded
in a plurality of recording apparatuses and a plurality of users
use a common program recording system, each user can instruct
processing, such as reproduction, deletion, or the like, of program
data, and clearly instruct an operation for recording or
reproducing a program as when only the user uses the system.
The individual components shown in outline or designated by blocks
in the drawings are all well known in the television signal
receiver arts and their specific construction and operation are not
critical to the operation or the best mode for carrying out the
invention.
While the present invention has been described with respect to what
are presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to
be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed
embodiments. To the contrary, the present invention is intended to
cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included
within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of
the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation
so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures
and functions.
* * * * *